Insight on buying a mini excavator vs renting

[MossRoad]

8000# excavator rental $330 per weekend.

Even if it take you 10 weekends (it won't), that's $3300. And you don't have to maintain it, repair it, store it, insure it, etc...

Yes, you want one.
Do you need to own one?
Only you can answer that.

Frugal Man says rent it.

 

[dieselscout80]

8000# excavator rental $330 per weekend.

Even if it take you 10 weekends (it won't), that's $3300. And you don't have to maintain it, repair it, store it, insure it, etc...

Yes, you want one.
Do you need to own one?
Only you can answer that.

Frugal Man says rent it.

I have rented a Mini Excavator two times.

I looked at the valve stack on both of them and said that looks really expensive to fix.

 

[Hay Dude]

Im wired the same way but someone said to me once é„*re you going to spend $100,000 to protect $75,000 of equipment?

å¡«m, yes? Lol

:thumbsup:

Hear that. I am renting a midi size excavator for a week. That gets expensive.
But building shelter for one I would own when I already have 4 pretty good size farm tractors to shelter plus all the farm implements....

 

[gtbensley]

In MY opinion YOU have the proper mindset on this issue.
By a GOOD piece of equipment that you KNOW will hold it's resale value, and use it at your convenience.
20 months ago, I bought an original owner 251 hour Kubota L48TLB in Maine for 32K, and I am quite certain it is worth a bit more than that today.

Wow thats a great buy! If I could find something like that I would seriously consider going that direction as I could sell my b7500 and have a one trick pony.

The part I get hung up is the KNOW and GOOD bit. I can be as sure as possible but I cant predict what may break or cost money. A machine I can afford will be older (the Case is a 2008 with supposed 890hrs and appears to be in good shape backing this up, its tight and dry and fires right up)

 

[Hay Dude]

In MY opinion YOU have the proper mindset on this issue.
By a GOOD piece of equipment that you KNOW will hold it's resale value, and use it at your convenience.
20 months ago, I bought an original owner 251 hour Kubota L48TLB in Maine for 32K, and I am quite certain it is worth a bit more than that today.
It is just a (very nice) toy for me!

I heard that Peter315 guy has bad credit. Should probably sell to someone else. :laughing:

 

[gtbensley]

8000# excavator rental $330 per weekend.

Even if it take you 10 weekends (it won't), that's $3300. And you don't have to maintain it, repair it, store it, insure it, etc...

Yes, you want one.
Do you need to own one?
Only you can answer that.

Frugal Man says rent it.

This is the insight and balance I need. Thank you

 

[fried1765]

I heard that Peter315 guy has bad credit. Should probably sell to someone else. :laughing:

You and Peter 315 can perhaps fight it out,... after the croaking,.... with my two sons.
I am guessing they will sell the TLB, and keep the restored Ford 1920 FEL (no hoe), and maybe the old 8N (nice shape)

 

[gtbensley]

Where in Maine did you find the TLB? I have been watching for over a year for these things and never saw it. Any pictures? I am sure we would all love to drool over it.

 

[Diggin It]

Yes, but again not sure its worth buying a smaller BH as the cost will go way up.

I paid under $19K for mine with FEL, MMM, BH and a 4' tiller. Several people with this size machine have posted threads on them doing much of the work you're proposing. Some have also said they could sell it for near what they bought it for. I can drop the BH in a few minutes and go on to mowing or whatever else.

So, again, consider renting the Ex for the bigger jobs and buying a little guy for the smaller stuff.

 

[fried1765]

This is the insight and balance I need. Thank you

This OLD guy says, if you have use for it, and savor the thought of having it readily available, ..... buy it, use it, and sell it, when you no longer THINK you want it.
My perception: It will be a Loo..oo..oo..ng time before you sell it!
I had my previous TLB (Ford 3400) for 33 years, and only sold it to upgrade to my current Kubota L48TLB.

I only put 550 hours on the Ford in 33 years, but it paid for itself in just one (personal) project, and was mighty handy to have around for MANY smaller projects.
I bought the Ford (used) in 1986 (I was 46) for $10,000, and I sold it 33 years later (2019) for $9,000.

Try to find an excavator with a hydraulic thumb!
My Kubota has it, the Ford did not.